Who hanged the schoolmaster in the playground on the night of the Hallowe’en party? Almost everyone in Heppleburn’s school either hated or feared the viper-tounged Harold Medburn.

Inspector Ramsey is convinced it was the headmaster’s enigmatic wife, but Jack Robson, school governor and caretaker, is determined to prove her innocence.

With the help of his restless daughter Patty, Jack digs into the secrets of Heppleburn and uncovers a cesspit of lies, adultery, blackmail and madness…